Innovative Refrigeration System Promises Greener Future for Supermarkets

University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers have partnered with industry to develop a groundbreaking, energy-efficient refrigeration system that could transform cooling in supermarkets, hospitals, abattoirs, and other facilities.

The indirect evaporative (dew point) carbon dioxide (DP-CO2) refrigeration system, co-developed by UniSA and Glaciem Cooling Technologies, has been installed and tested at the new Coles supermarket in Norwood, SA, under the RACE for 2030 CRC research program.

Preliminary results show the system can cut annual refrigeration energy consumption by 19% and reduce peak electricity demand by 37%, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs.

According to Dr. Tim Lau, UniSA sustainable energy researcher and chief investigator, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration can account for up to 70% of customers’ electricity usage and 24% of Australia’s electricity consumption. "The system uses dew point coolers to pre-cool the ambient air, allowing efficient operation even in hot climates exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, cutting energy usage by more than a third during summer months," Dr. Lau explains.

A computational model has been developed to evaluate the system's potential in various sectors, including hospitals, meat processing plants, cold storage, and aquariums. The most significant benefits are anticipated in hot, dry climates like central Australia.

“This project paves the way for greener and more cost-effective commercial refrigeration, not only in Australia but across the world,” Dr. Lau concludes.

If the promising results are replicated, Coles and other businesses may adopt the new system across their sites, significantly reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.